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    June 17, 2020
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ORAL HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS-PART II The most important thing you can do to prevent tooth infections is to maintain good oral hygiene. All older adults should be careful about their oral health. Older adults with artificial joints and artificial heart valves need to be extra careful. However, most patients with artificial joints and heart valves do not need antibiotics before having a dental procedure. Your doctor or dentist should ask you about oral discomfort or tooth pain during your regular medical visits. They should also ask you about dry mouth symptoms during regular medical visits. Reduced saliva and dry mouth increase your risk for tooth decay. If you have dry mouth, check with your medical provider to see if any of the medications you are taking may be making your dry mouth worse. Here's a checklist of practices to avoid in the interest of maintaining good oral health. Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Don't use medications that reduce the production of saliva, if possible. (Ask your health care provider for more information.) Don't eat foods high in sugar, especially sticky high-sugar foods or candies. Next week, a checklist of "dos" for maintaining good oral health. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 SM-CL1780731 630-663-0554 ORAL HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS-PART II The most important thing you can do to prevent tooth infections is to maintain good oral hygiene. All older adults should be careful about their oral health. Older adults with artificial joints and artificial heart valves need to be extra careful. However, most patients with artificial joints and heart valves do not need antibiotics before having a dental procedure. Your doctor or dentist should ask you about oral discomfort or tooth pain during your regular medical visits. They should also ask you about dry mouth symptoms during regular medical visits. Reduced saliva and dry mouth increase your risk for tooth decay. If you have dry mouth, check with your medical provider to see if any of the medications you are taking may be making your dry mouth worse. Here's a checklist of practices to avoid in the interest of maintaining good oral health. Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Don't use medications that reduce the production of saliva, if possible. (Ask your health care provider for more information.) Don't eat foods high in sugar, especially sticky high-sugar foods or candies. Next week, a checklist of "dos" for maintaining good oral health. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 SM-CL1780731 630-663-0554